Your Doctor Discussion Guide: Allergic Asthma

If you experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing attacks that don't seem to quit, you may be one of the millions of Americans who have allergic asthma.

Although there is essentially no difference in symptoms between allergic asthma and other types of asthma, they do have different triggers. For example, asthmaa condition in which the lungs are hypersensitive and swell and tighten in response to triggerscan be caused by things like cold temperature, exercise, or weather.

Allergic asthma, on the other hand, is triggered by an underlying allergywhether it's pollen, pets, mold, dust, or something else. About 60% of asthma cases are allergic asthma.

How do I know I have allergic asthma and not another type of asthma?Your doctor will probably start by asking you if there are any kinds of patterns to your asthma attacks. Do they happen after you've come into contact with cats, dogs, or birds? Do you get them only at a certain time of the year? Or when you're outside?

"This gives us clues that (a person) could have an allergic cause for their asthma," says Karim Dhanani, MD, an allergist with Scott & White Healthcare in Round Rock, Texas.

The common triggers for allergic asthma are cat dander, pollen (especially white-oak pollen), and mold.

Is there a test for allergic asthma? Keeping an allergy diary may help clarify your trouble spots, but the only way to know for sure if you have this type of asthma is to get an allergy test. There are several different types of tests you can get.

A skin-prick test, which involves putting a small amount of a potential allergen under your skin to see if there's a reaction, is the easiest, simplest and fastest. If the result is positive, you'll see some swelling around the prick site within 20 minutes. That means you can leave the doctor's office with answers.

A blood test can also yield good results, but takes a little more time.

How do I figure out my triggers? If you do have allergic asthma and your body detects an allergen, it produces an antibody specific to that allergen called Immunoglobulin I (IgE). This causes inflammation in the airway and makes it harder to breathe.

"Basically what happens is when a ragweed protein comes in contact with a ragweed antibody. (which is) already in your bloodstream... an allergic reaction (is) set off," explains Dr. Dhanani.

Avoiding your triggers is always a good idea and this may not be as hard as you think. For example, dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive in your mattresses, pillows, carpets, drapes, cloth couches. "They love humidity and they love warmth, which our bodies provide," says Dr. Dhanani.

Putting special protective covers on mattresses and pillows erects a barrier between you and the mites. "That can dramatically decrease symptoms of asthma," says Dr. Dhanani.

Are there changes I can make in my home to reduce the chances of an asthma attack? Other tips include using synthetic bedding rather than down or wool; replacing carpets with bare floors; cleaning surfaces with a wet mop or rag rather than a dry one; using a dehumidifier; and using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

If you can't bear to part with a beloved pet even if it triggers your asthma, the first thing you should do is avoid sleeping with your pet.

"If you don't want to get rid of it, I at least advise (patients) to keep the (pet) outside the bedroom and close the door," says Dr. Dhanani. A lot of times people sleep in the same bed as their pets. "They're literally breathing in cat allergen all night long so no wonder they are symptomatic," Dr. Dhanani says.

If pets aren't a trigger, mold might be. Molds like the damp, so a dehumidifier will help control this, as will eliminating any leaks in pipes or faucets.

For cockroaches (another major trigger), keep your house clean of crumbs, don't eat in the bedroom, and be diligent about washing the kitchen. You might also try traps and check the house for any places that might be providing access.

It's usually impossible to completely eradicate every trace of a trigger, but medications are very effective in keeping symptoms under control.